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Former Prime Minister John Key spoke of a conversation he had with Turnbull to Roughan for an updated edition of the biography John Key - Portrait of a Prime Minister, which is due for release next week.

Key said that shortly after the United States election Turnbull called and told him he had spoken to then President-elect Donald Trump.

Key asked how it went and Turnbull described Trump as "thoroughly professional and businesslike".

When Key then asked what Turnbull thought Trump would be like, Turnbull replied: "Easier to deal with than people think."

The updated version of the biography is due for release next week by publishers Penguin Random House and includes new chapters on Key's final years as Prime Minister and his resignation.